# NTSB MIA86FA112: Piper PA-31-350, N55WE, Homestead, FL, April 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1986, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Homestead, FL
- Coordinates: 25.490831, -80.509368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.4908&lon=-80.5094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31493/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA112

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS NEARING COMPLETION OF A 4.2 HR X-COUNTRY FLT & WAS APRX 7 MILES FROM THE DEST WHEN BOTH ENGS QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LDG WAS PERFORMED. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED WITH A FULL FUEL LOAD OF 182 GALS. THE ACFT OWNER STATED THAT FUEL CONSUMPTION AVERAGED ABOUT 44 GALS PER HR. AT THAT RATE, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE CONSUMED APPROX 185 GALS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT HE HAD BEEN RECENTLY FLYING ANOTHER PA-31 WHICH HAD A GREATER FUEL CAPACITY DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AUX FUEL TANKS & HE MAY HAVE SUBCONSCIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT HE HAD MORE FUEL THAN HE ACTUALLY HAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55WE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55WE-1997-10-23), registration cancelled 1997-10-23, S/N 317405163 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7405163
- Airframe hours: 6449
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Key Largo Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 31, 1985, 88 hours before
- Departed: EYW, KEY WEST, FL
- Destination: X51, HOMESTEAD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,467 total, 118 in this make and model, 3,169 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 22 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860404011149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860404011149A), Apr 4, 1986: Piper PA31350, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. Underestimated fuel consumption, thought aircraft had auxiliary fuel tanks. Out of fuel. Landed in sawgrass area.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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